Arsenal vs Leeds preview, team news, probable line-ups as Gunners search for seventh straight win

FOOTBALL Arsenal vs Leeds preview, team news, probable line-ups as Gunners search for seventh straight win

Kiplagat Sang • 10:43 - 01.04.2023

The Premier League action returns with the Londoners keen to maintain the gap against their close rivals, Manchester City.

Arsenal resumes Premier League duties on Saturday as they host Leeds United with the hope of yet another victory and boosting their chances of winning the title.

The Gunners are eight points ahead of the Citizens - who have a game in hand and will face Liverpool at the Etihad on Saturday in an early kickoff -  and are going in search of a seventh straight league win.

Mikel Arteta’s charges convincingly defeated Fulham just after they had been eliminated from the Europa League by Sporting Lisbon.

Their reaction showed their mental fortitude despite the Europa League setback, and such strength is expected to play a key role in their pursuit of the Premier League title, a trophy they last won in the 2003/04 season.

Team News

Although Thomas Partey did not feature for Ghana against Angola in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier during the FIFA break, he is expected to be available for the Gunners.

Gabriel Jesus and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta will be excited by news of Gabriel Jesus imminent return

Gabriel Jesus is in line for his first league start since the World Cup after making remarkable progress from a knee injury.

Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu are long-term absentees, and a back injury has ruled out William Saliba. Eddie Nketiah is not available for the Gunners as he is still nursing an ankle injury.

During his press conference, Arteta spoke about Saliba’s injury, "He is progressing," said the manager.

"He still has some discomfort in his back. We are trying to manage him in the best possible way, but unfortunately, he’s not going to be fit for his game.

"We are trying – he’s trying to do everything to feel better and get back into training, but not yet."

On the other hand, Leeds will have Wilfried Gnonto and Maximilian Wober unavailable, as knee and thigh injuries, respectively, sustained from international duties rule them out.

Tyler Adams had an operation on his hamstring and is facing a long spell on the sidelines. Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw are the other long-term absentees for Leeds.

What are the stats saying?

Arsenal have won six consecutive Premier League games - the joint longest streak in the division this season (along with Newcastle) and equalling their best run under Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners could register seven successive top-flight wins for the first time since August to October 2018 under Unai Emery.

Arsenal have equalled last season's total of 69 points with 10 matches still to play.

Leeds are unbeaten in two Premier League games, winning one and drawing the other while scoring six goals in the process.

They have lost just one of their four away fixtures against the current top six, a 4-3 defeat at Tottenham.

Leeds have won just two of their 23 matches versus the Premier League leaders, drawing nine and losing 12.

Predicted line-ups:

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Firpo, McKennie, Roca, Harrison, Aaronson, Sinisterra, Bamford